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Key dates over April 1915

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Lives lost on this day: 1

2nd April 1915 - Men of all ages and standards of physique parade for Worcester Volunteer Training Corps

6th Batt: Pte. William Cockbill 20098

Rolling casualty count: 961

1st Batt: In billets on Rue Bataille. Good Friday; 2nd Batt: In billets at Essars ;3rd Batt: In billets at Dickebush;

8th Battalion Recruiting Campaign: About 120 newly-recruited members of the 8th Battalion Worcestershire (Reserve) visited Upton-on-Severn, in furtherance of a fortnight’s recruiting campaign, which they have entered upon. The Company is under the command of Major Garnett, and arrived in Upton headed by the Yeomanry Band who played selections in the early evening in the town centre;

Parade and Route March: At 10 o’clock this morning, a large number of members of the Worcester Volunteer Training Corps, with true military punctuality, assembled in the yard at the Territorial HQ in Silver Street. For half an hour, there was a constant stream of men of all ages and standards of physique, business men, solicitors, City Councillors, representatives of all classes, who are too old or unfit for military service. Altogether there were about 280 members of the eight platoons present, so that each platoon was well represented. After only about 3 months existence, the Corps, in spite of the varied civilian dress, made a fine appearance, and it would be difficult to find a smarter set of men outside the Army and Navy. The route march was to Powick village, and back, a distance of about 7 miles. There was a large and interested crowd in Silver Street to see the commencement, and High Street and Broad Street were lined with spectators.

Cricketer’s Promotion: Mr. C.J.A. Collier, the Worcestershire cricketer, who joined the Army at the outbreak of war, is on a few days’ visit to Worcester. He holds the rank of Sergeant-Major, 2nd Class Warrant Officer, Army Ordnance Corps;

Patriotic Family: Mr. Charles Williams of 50, York Place, has received an official notification that one of his sons, Pte. Walter Williams, 8th Divisional Cyclist Company, has received a gunshot wound in the head. Five of Mr. Williams’ sons have been to the front. Three are still there and two have been wounded, Walter recorded above, and Charles at present attached to the 6th Worcesters;

Information researched by Sue Redding